Still Life

Hello!

2011-06-21T20:32:00.002-04:00

So I've been away for quite some time---- my apologies! But I wanted to show you where I've been!!!

Be sure to check up on us at RubberBootsPhotography and tell us what you've been up to!!

It's ALIVE!!

2011-03-25T16:28:00.002-04:00

We have gone live! My sister is absolutely brilliant and used this brilliance to launch our very own website for Rubber Boots Photography! I could not be happier or excited! I hope you (the cyber world of anonymous readers) can take a look at our new endeavor and show your support by spreading the word! Also, be sure to check out Jesh De Rox's "Beloved" project!

THANK YOU!

COMING SOON!!

2011-03-24T15:49:00.002-04:00

For the past 3 months my sister and I have been working to launch a new endeavor and I couldn't be happier with how it is turning out!!

The main website will be up later on this month, but for now be sure to "like" us on FB to get ahead of the game!!

Rubber Boots Photography

THANKS!!

Midnight Drive

2011-03-15T12:38:00.003-04:00

I have been listening to Taylor Mali lately and it has reminded me how much I love writing and poetry. I just put pen to paper and started scrawling down some images and words.

I heard the engine rev in
The drive
Where was it going and
Who was taking it
It seemed to pur and
Moan life
Tired from journeys or
From the nights unrest
Hot heat poured from it
It seemed to
Regret its very existence and
Scream out
NO! I DON’T WANT TO GO!
As my mother got in.
The bags in the back sat
Expectedly aware
The moisture on her reddened
Face soft
The slamming of a door
Shook silent
The core of my being sat
Unexpectedly unaware.
The tires slid down
The gravel road
Pebbles of loss
Flying out
NO! I WANT TO GO!
I screamed inside
As the engines groan
Broke the silence
From my heart.
-TMG

San Francisco, California 2011

2011-02-01T13:17:00.002-05:00

My Mommy

2011-01-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

I kidnapped my mother for some location shopping. I love her!

A going on...

2011-01-03T23:11:00.002-05:00

Lunar Eclipse- Mark of the Winter Solstice

2010-12-22T19:15:00.000-05:00

I have a tan!

2010-11-29T23:41:00.001-05:00

Happy 50th!

2010-11-12T23:29:00.002-05:00

My sister hosted a wonderful dinner this evening to celebrate our grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary! AMAZING!

NOLA Cont'd!

2010-11-12T08:53:00.002-05:00

Check out more photo's on my flickr!! www.flickr.com/tamsterg

New Orleans

2010-11-09T13:52:00.001-05:00

DIY Cupcake Toppers- NYC Goodbye Party

2010-11-03T11:59:00.003-04:00

A friend is moving to NYC so we bought cupcakes. I made toppers :)

Try Some Festive Pumpkin Flan!

2010-11-01T11:22:00.005-04:00

Tamster’s Pumpkin Flan w Caramel Topping
· 15oz Pumpkin Puree
· 15oz Evaporated Milk
· 1can Sweetened Condensed Milk
· 1cup Sugar (brown sugar can be used in mix but not caramel) separated
· 1pkg Cream Cheese (Philadelphia Low-Fat)
· 4 Eggs
· 1tspn Vanilla Extract (or one vanilla bean pod, scraped)
· 2tspn Cinnamon
· 2tspn Nutmeg
· 1/3cup Water
· Non-Stick Spray or Butter

Directions:
· Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
· Mix pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, condensed milk, cream cheese (softened), eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in blender under thick and well combined (No Lumps!).
· Add 2/3 cup of Sugar (amount can be increased to taste but the condensed milk already contains a large amount of sugar) and blend thoroloughy.
· Grease ceramic or glass oven safe containers (no metal or aluminum) with spray or butter. Set aside.

Caramel:
· In heavy sauce pan, heat water and remaining 1/3 cup of sugar (white sugar) over medium heat. Whisk to combine or until sugar dissolves forming syrup.
· Stir occasionally until syrup begins to turn a light to medium brown color (DO NOT BURN!)
· Once caramel color is achieved, pour into greased ceramic or glass container- cover bottom
· Allow it to cool slightly (it will harden… it’s a good thing!)

Baking:
· Place container in larger cookie sheet or oven pan and fill halfway with water (enough to cover the outside of flan container mid-way)
· Place in 325 degree oven for 45 minute or until toothpick is inserted and comes out clean (some residue may adhere to tooth pick but it should not be “runny”).
· Once cooked, remove and allow cooling to room temperature then place in refrigerator covered with parchment paper and or clear plastic wrap.

Serving:
· Using sharp non-serrated knife, separate sides from container
· Flip onto serving plate and allow caramel to drip onto Flan (top with coconut!)

Wish List

2010-10-22T14:36:00.002-04:00

I don't normally post about cars or automotives in general but I feel I must now.

This, lady and gentleman, is the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty Black Ops Edition. .... ::tear::

2010-10-18T22:45:00.001-04:00

Bottle from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.

West Ends Got Talent Show

2010-10-17T22:58:00.007-04:00

Some friends got together for a little showing of talent! our own personal variety show! It was a blast!

Photoshop Favor

2010-10-12T23:02:00.003-04:00

A friend from work got married and had her photo's taken at the beach. Out of the kindness of my heart... and my desire to try some new photoshopping techniques, I offered to edit some of them :)

TTFN Facebook

2010-10-12T11:16:00.001-04:00

Tammy Gonzalez on Monday, October 11, 2010 at 8:04pm

It is interesting how time changes and how days seem to melt into one. Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “How did I get here? Where did all of my time go?” I find myself saying these things more and more each day. On my way home from work today I saw a little girl sitting in the passenger seat of her mothers van, her little brother in the back seat and the mother driving. The little girl was on her iPad, the little boy was watching a movie in the head rest and the mother was chatting away on her cell phone while changing lanes indiscriminately. I’ve seen this picture day after day; the portrait of this generation; a generation of instantaneous entertainment and gratification. A beautiful day gone unnoticed because we are too busy reading the latest gossip on our gadgetry; a quiet moment lost to the buzzing necessity to find the wifi hot spot. I will be the first to raise my hand in admittance of guilt. I too spend more time in front of an artificial sunset background watching a cute kitten instead of breathing fresh air or spending my already spent time more wisely; I give in to the temptation of observing what others have done and are doing instead of getting up and doing something myself. I judge no one for how they choose to spend their time; there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of the era of technology. I for my part, however, am re-prioritizing how my time and attention is alloted. A quarter of a century has passed since I took my first breath and I feel the slight tinge of regret that I have not used that time as wisely as I could have.

So, as ironies of ironies play out, I am writing to you- the mass world of cyber space; the pale eyes of peers who care to read the random thoughts that bleed through my finger tips and onto the keys- I write to you with my farewells from this realm of “social networking”. I will continue to share my passions and endeavors but no longer via this unique vice. I hope to rekindle the flame of human connection and origin of inter-personal communications. To all: Talk Soon!!

Light and Form

2010-09-30T23:23:00.001-04:00

English baby shower

2010-09-29T11:04:00.002-04:00

Ellie Goulding- The Writer (Live Acoustic)

2010-09-12T22:36:00.001-04:00

I can't really explain why but this song just left me in awe when I heard it. Definitely "buy" her album, but here's an acoustic version of the song.

So I'm in a Digital Photography Class!

2010-09-10T16:43:00.003-04:00

In case I have never said this before.... I love my sister to bits!

I am in a digital photography class online and we have weekly assignments. This week was Stopping Motion/Creative Blur. Being crunched for time, I kidnapped my sister during our lunch break and broke into the garage lot! I played with exposure timing and iso settings while she jumped and ran and hopped and skipped not once complaining!

Here's to Big Sisters (or sibblings in general for that matter) who are always willing! ::CHEERS::

PARAMORE @ BAYFRONT PARK MIAMI

2010-09-05T00:37:00.001-04:00

Academy of Glam Grand Opening

2010-08-30T19:51:00.001-04:00

I had the priveledge of attending and working at the grand opening of Academy of Glam!

Chitown and Lollapalooza 2010

2010-08-09T20:20:00.002-04:00

Jesse Eisenberg

Brandi Carlile- That Year

2010-08-03T09:57:00.003-04:00

The power of music continuously amazes me.

Happy Lights and Crazy Skies

2010-07-30T22:01:00.003-04:00

Friends for Dinner

2010-07-25T14:53:00.001-04:00

Fun and Games from Tamara Gonzalez on Vimeo.

Own Worst Enemy

2010-07-18T20:14:00.000-04:00

Cool Pool Party

2010-07-18T17:49:00.003-04:00

My friend graduated high school with her associates degree.
My other friends celebrated their new Canon 550D SLR camera (I must confess I celebrated with them)
We all got together for a rad tad cool pool party!

DIY TriPod Dolly - $25

2010-07-10T15:44:00.001-04:00

I have been researching dolly's or wheel devices to add onto my tripod so that I can film with my Nikon D5000 without so much shakiness. What I found online ranged from $40-$300. After going through many different DIY tutorials, I combined some of the best ones and came up with this. It is really easy and if you aren't so attached to the rubber feet of your tripod, this is probably the easiest remedy.

Supplies:

3 Triple Wheel Dollies- 6" (I found mine at Lowes)

3 Hex Lag Screws- 1/4"

3 Galv 1/4 Hex Nut

3 Flat Washers

Process:

Remove the feet off your tripod. If they are standard round feet, they can be removed rather easily by twisting and pulling. Some tutorials recommend buying 7/8" Rubber Furniture Legs so as to make the feet larger. I do not have a standard round legged tripod so I simply used the feet on my tripod.

Using a drill or screw driver the closest size possible as the Hex Lag Screw, puncture a hole into the middle of the foot, straight through. This may require some finesse, but be sure not to wiggle the puncture device excessively so as to not make the hole too large.

Insert the Hex Lag Screw (you can use a separate washer at this point if you need to for security). Make sure it goes as far as possible and is flush inside the foot.

The Dolly will have a hole in the middle along with an indented "valley" in which the foot will sit. Making sure the foot sits comfortably, fasten a washer and the Hex Nut on the bottom side of the dolly, securing the foot into the dolly.

Do this three times, one for each leg of your tripod. Once the dolly's are fastened to the feet, reattach to your tripod. Mine does not fit as snugly as it originally did due to the screw head on the inside, but it is still relatively secure.

That's it!! Use caution when lifting the tripod off the floor, but as long as you are on a smooth surface, shakiness and vibration will not be a problem!!!

North Carolina Weekend

2010-07-08T09:18:00.002-04:00

Yeah, it's my wish list.....

2010-06-29T15:23:00.005-04:00

Tenba Messenger Bag for my DSLR.

All of the following can be found on www.photojojo.com

Opteka UC-SLR Underwater Case/Housing for Nikon D5000 (Amazon.com)

More to come :)

SuperCon 2010

2010-06-21T12:50:00.001-04:00

The Sky Was Showing Off Today

2010-06-15T08:54:00.002-04:00

West Palm Beach

2010-06-06T20:13:00.002-04:00

Orlando Magic

2010-06-02T20:32:00.008-04:00

Congratulations to Nick and Kristin!! :)

Rebounderz- Orlando

2010-06-02T08:48:00.001-04:00

Bouncin @ Rebounderz from Tamara Gonzalez on Vimeo.

The End

2010-05-24T21:20:00.007-04:00

Editing is complete. The photos will now be delivered to the wonderful couple :)

Here are the last two of some of my favorite photo's of the bride both of which were taken by my lovely partner and sister, Mango Gal!

Laws of Love

2010-05-19T20:00:00.001-04:00

I'm still editing all 900+ photo's from the day. But I would like to post one of my favorites. What was wonderful about this wedding and be the photo-grapher was that the couple did not require direction :)

CocoRosie- Lemonade

2010-05-19T10:05:00.001-04:00

Laws and Jordan Wedding Sample

2010-05-16T23:32:00.009-04:00

Here are a few samples from todays GORGEOUS wedding at the Mayfair Hotel and Spa in Coconut Grove. I could not of have done it without little miss Mangonett here :)

Photo-shoot Accompaniment

2010-05-06T22:25:00.003-04:00

I accompanied a friend on a photo-collab today. It was a lot of fun not having the pressure on me :)

Family Din Din

2010-04-26T09:26:00.001-04:00

Fellow Compadres!

2010-04-16T22:58:00.002-04:00

www.flickr.com/tamsterg

Zoo Day

2010-04-02T23:16:00.002-04:00

Check out all the gorgeous animals from miami-dade metro zoo here: www.flickr.com/tamsterg

Here's looking at you, kid!

2010-04-01T21:43:00.003-04:00

This is my sister. She entertains me. She models for me. She smiles for me. I lucked out with this one, and I don't mean the photo.

Day at the Fair

2010-03-29T11:02:00.001-04:00

Day at the Fair from Tamara Gonzalez on Vimeo.

Niko II is here :)

2010-03-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

New Baby....

2010-03-22T15:00:00.003-04:00

My new baby is on its way :) Should be here tomorrow afternoon :o) Once I have it securely in my arms, I will post and make up for my lack of.... posting :D

Coming Soon.... again

2010-03-18T10:15:00.001-04:00

31-35/365

2010-03-07T21:41:00.003-05:00

I haven't been lazy... i've been sick. I took a lot of photo's this evening so, I am going to provide a link to my Flickr so that you may peruse :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamsterg/sets/72157623206765023/

30/365

2010-03-02T22:59:00.004-05:00

30 days already.... amazing. I think this project is a good thing. It makes you look at things an entirely new way. Not in a "what would you look like if I took your photo and edited the fraggle rock out of you" but in a, "i've never looked at you from this angle before..." kind of way. It's pretty neat what you come up with.

This is a paper weight one of my boss' brought me from Italy years back. It's absolutely gorgeous and quite heavy. The shame of it is, since it is glass, it reflects my bounce flash entirely- that's why I cropped it as I did. But that negative creates a positive in that I knew it was going to happen but did it anyway to see what I could do with it. See :)

29/365

2010-03-02T22:58:00.003-05:00

28/365

2010-02-28T22:32:00.001-05:00

27/365

2010-02-28T22:31:00.001-05:00

26/365

2010-02-26T21:26:00.002-05:00

25/365

2010-02-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

24/365

2010-02-25T13:08:00.002-05:00

"I am failry certain that given a Cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world."

KARATE KID!!

2010-02-24T14:15:00.000-05:00

23/365

2010-02-23T22:38:00.002-05:00

22/365

2010-02-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

21/365

2010-02-23T09:18:00.003-05:00

Don't judge me. I have not been able to get on my computer (timing) since saturday so, I am going to upload photoshop projects I have done. I will, as soon as I get back on my computer, give a bonus 2 photo's to make up for this atrocity!

20/365

2010-02-20T21:56:00.001-05:00

19/365

2010-02-19T23:48:00.001-05:00

Weird fog creepy through fields...

18/365

2010-02-19T11:18:00.003-05:00

You should know by now that my project is called Belated Project and occassionally my posts will be belated :)

I took a photo this morning on my way to work:

Yes... cows in south florida :)

17/365

2010-02-17T22:50:00.002-05:00

Baby Ian

16/365

2010-02-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

15/365

2010-02-15T21:58:00.002-05:00

14/365

2010-02-14T21:28:00.002-05:00

This evening, my family and I were privileged to attend the performance of the Detroit symphony Orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin with featured Cellist Sol Gabetta at The Arsht Center in Miami. Absolutely wonderful!!

13/365

2010-02-14T12:55:00.000-05:00

12/365

2010-02-12T20:48:00.003-05:00

Apple Spice Brown Sugar Maple Pancakes

Don't judge by the "burnt" rim. They are absolutely perfect when a little extra cooked on the outside. Makes for a soft center and crunch bite :) Syrup on the inside so there's no mess on the plate :)

11/365

2010-02-11T22:58:00.003-05:00

Raccoon on the run at Hockey Thursdays!

10/365

2010-02-10T21:30:00.004-05:00

I actually had the opportunity to go out today specifically to take some photographs. We have this Nature preserve boardwalk area by our house that I never really appreciated to its fullest. Today I tried.

Catcher in the Rye cont'd

2010-02-10T15:55:00.000-05:00

It took me a while to read the next few chapters due to external complications but I am glad I found the time to actually read the chapters so far from reading the previous ones. One of the key moments happened in these chapters; insight into not only Holden but his peers as well illuminates and foreshadows future character revelations. Big words for something as simple as: you can learn a lot from a pimply nail cutter, primping secret slob player and a red hunting cap. The reader is introduced to three of Holden’s “friends” and their personal hygiene habits (or lack there of), a romantic interest and a security blanket. Holden is shown to obviously judge people on their outward appearance through his narration and yet not appreciate when he is judged for his. He wears his red hunting cap indoors rather than outside in the freezing cold so as to not stand out and yet stand out as a rebel. He has feeling for a girl but won’t tell her due to his insecurities that result from his fear of being alone or rebuffed. He obviously loathes his pimply intruder but does not inquire as to his purpose or force him to leave. He envies his sloppy primper for his popularity and date with love interest but does not appreciate his hygienic instruments as they are left dirty on the bathroom sink (worth noting as well that this same individual borrows Holden’s Hounds tooth jacket for the date).

9/365

2010-02-09T18:38:00.002-05:00

My resolve was broken so easily!

8/365

2010-02-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

I did not take a photo today. But I am sharing my new prized possession as a peace offering :)

7/365

2010-02-07T23:39:00.002-05:00

WHO DAT!!!!!!!

6/365

2010-02-06T20:52:00.001-05:00

Super Bowl Saturday on Fort Lauderdale Beach!

5/365

2010-02-05T22:28:00.002-05:00

Florida Rainstorm

4/365

2010-02-05T20:19:00.001-05:00

I AM NOT LATE!!! ok..... so I am...... but with good reason...

I SAW JOHN MAYER LAST NIGHT!!!! It's a shame I can only post one photo... SO here you go!

3/365

2010-02-03T21:58:00.003-05:00

A friend of the family passed away today. I was shocked by how much I was effected by the news. I am one of those few who rarely show emotion when another human being passes; but show me a movie or tell me a story of an animal losing their life and I'm balled up in the corner sucking my thumb.

Not really relevant to this project but I figured a photo a day is a way to show through pictorials how I am feeling... i might as well use words too :)

Catcher in the Rye: Part I

2010-02-02T22:41:00.002-05:00

So i've read chapters 1 and 2 so far. I had forgotten how Salinger's style completely sucks you into the story. One of the most important things to remember when reading or re-reading this novel in particular is this: HOLDEN CAULFIELD IS NOT A CHARACTER TO BE LIKED. It is also important to remember that there are TWO Holden Caulfield's in this novel: The one telling the story and the one he's telling the story about. Yes, it is physically the "same" person but the narration is coming from the Caulfield one year after the events in the novel have taken place. If there is anything I remember distinctly from my lit classes, it's that fact. Trust me, it'll stay in your head forever.

I decided as I was reading that I wasn't going to summarize the novel here but rather discuss different aspects of it and how, even though this novel is often referred to by the present generation as outdated and irrelevant, it is extremely relevant and applicable to the status-quo of the youth today.

Holden (the one in the story) has been kicked out of his prep school for flunking 90% of his classes; he doesn't want to talk about his family; he hates his school; feels bad for the history professor who flunked him because he is extremely sick; wears a red hunting cap; resents his older brother, D.B., for selling out to Hollywood.

With everything going on in the world today, there is a group of individuals that seem to reflect the very same views and emotions embodied by Holden Caulfield. The resentment towards their educational institutions for either failing them literally or for failing them in their purposes; the dissonance between youth and family; the empathy towards those ailing and frail; the rebellion towards conglomerate corporate america; the safety blanket.

All of these things are prevalent in TV shows, music or modern literature. Holden Caulfield is not a character to be admired or envied; Holden Caulfield is a character created to contain and represent the inner disappointments in us all.

2/365

2010-02-02T21:34:00.003-05:00

My father has a Spider-Man figure hanging from the bottom of the TV in his office. We won him at a fair and that has been his home ever since. Spidey keeps me company on these long nights working on the computer. Here's to you SPIDEY!

Photo taken with Canon G9. B&W. Tweeked on Photoshop.com for the sketch effect. I found it appropriate :)

1/365

2010-02-01T20:53:00.006-05:00

So here we go.

It rained A LOT today! Half of my town is flooded and from what I hear, the rest of the county isn't much better. But hey, WELCOME TO SOUTH FLA!!!

Addition to Project

2010-01-28T23:18:00.001-05:00

In addition to my Belated 365 Project and in liu of our most recent tragic loss of J.D. Salinger, I am also going to re-read "The Catcher in the Rye". I will also post criticism and observations as I read.

RIP JD Salinger.

Count Down

2010-01-28T08:53:00.000-05:00

So, only 3 more days until my belated 365 project can commence. I am actually really looking forward to the commitment it will require. Every day as I drive home or amble around different areas of my neighborhood my eyes refocus as if I were looking through the view finder of my camera. It has been a while since I’ve taken photos for pure recreational purposes; this should be interesting.

I wonder if I should have a theme for the project or a different theme each month/week/day…. I’ll have to see how it goes. I have a lot of spots around my neighborhood with “open fields” where, as I’m driving home, the sun turns the ground a brilliant array of orange and red and inevitable black.

One set back- if it even is a set back- is that I do not have Photoshop any more. Since I’ve moved to Mac, and my laptops crashed, I have not been able to successfully install Photoshop. I’ve become so reliant on being able to adjust the hues/contrast/brightness and overall feel of a photo that perhaps this will be a good thing for me. I’ll re-learn how to light my subject or position myself in such a way to capture rather than create a mood. Who knows, I may not be able to quit cold turkey after all and resort to using the ancient program known as Paint!! ::gasp::

So, only 3 more days until my much belated 365 project. :: sigh :: Buckle up!

Inspiration

2010-01-26T14:32:00.003-05:00

I don't think i've written about this person before but, I will now:

Vincent Laforet.

Vincent is a Pulitzer Prize Winning Still Photographer and Film Maker. Be sure to read his Bio for more information.

Vincent is often recognized for his Tilt-Shift Photography skills. I posted a photo edited as Tilt-Shift a few blogs past. The idea is to take a photo and either with a special lens or after shot editing (photoshop), make it appear to be a miniature set or creation.

He was given a pro-totype of the Canon 1D Mark V and was basically told, "See what you can do." What he did was story board, direct, film and edit a short film in 3 days! The quality and substance is outstanding.

Being a loyal Nikonian, I watched the film with bias but was strongly moved and impressed by the artistry behind it.

I urge all of you (who ever you are) to read and watch his work.

February is the new January

2010-01-21T22:56:00.002-05:00

My computer is finally up and running (sort of). I have all of my photographs on my external hard-drive and am read to go! Only set back- I am 21 days behind. I can not guarantee that a photo was taken every day. But, no worries, I will make February my new January. So...

Coming this February to a computer screen near you..... The Belated 365!

Just to start it off with a preview...

Video Interlude

2010-01-15T09:43:00.001-05:00

Belated Project Endeavor

2010-01-13T22:47:00.002-05:00

So about 3 months ago I made the decision to make January the beginning of a 365 project. If you do not know what a 365 project is, where have you been hiding??? It seems to be the "thing to do" now if you have a camera, website, flickr or any reason to take and upload photographs.

As I mentioned in my previous post however, I have been having major technical difficulties. I am slowly overcoming the set back as I have now transfered all of my photographs to an external drive and now here, my very own G5 :)

So I will now embark on my own 365 Photo project!!!! I can not promise that it will be interesting, inspiring or even mildly innovative. I can only promise that it will be mine!

Technical Difficulties

2010-01-06T15:26:00.001-05:00

There is an inherent hatred of technology when one becomes so heavily dependent upon it. My 7 year old PC crashed again over winter break; not that I was expecting anything less. I’ve gone through 3 motherboards since its creation, two video cards and countless motherboard batteries. I finally had enough when I came home, pushed the ironic “on” button to hear only the not so gentle hummmmmm of the inner fans spinning while the motherboard stayed silently still refusing to show even the dreaded Blue Screen of Doom. I purchased a 1TB external hard drive, convinced a colleague to transfer whatever photo’s and music they could salvage to later assist me in chucking the aluminum tower of life sucking frustrating into the nearest body of frigid water (it is 40 degrees today in Sunny S. Florida. The flamingos are furious!) I am not without a backup for storage and cyber access, by any means, which is perhaps the only reason why I am not a puddle of salt and drool at the moment. We recently inherited a Mac G5, primed for use. My hopes are to transfer my 47GB of photos to said machine and continue my journey through technological torture. Hopefully, then, I will keep to my promise and continue to update this here space in a timely and regular manner.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to share your thoughts, concerns, comments, and silent nods of understanding.

Next up: Photos from my Family Vacation to Destin, Florida!

Does Orientation Really Matter?

2009-12-01T22:51:00.004-05:00

I went to St.Augustine for the first time ever with my family this past weekend. For a bit of back story: I used to live up north and am quite familiar with the culture and architecture therein. I have been living in Sunny South Florida for some 15 years now and have been to the Keys and many coastal areas. I had never been to St.Augustine, until now. Very interesting. It is a combination, in my personal opinion, of both ends of the Eastern Coastal Spectrum.

We were able to stay in the heart of St.Augustine; inside the major shopping areas and along the Castillo Fort on the bay. The small alleys which were soley dedicated to pedistrians brought me back to what life must have been like in the late 1700's to the turn of the Century. Apartments built upon varied shops and markets; the oldest Wooden School House in Florida; small inlets with bakeries and coffee shops crowded the cobble-stone walkways. The architecture is very much reminiscent of northern towns; pennsilvania almost. Which is odd considering that St.Augustine was mainly inhabited by the Spaniards. Bringing the feel back south was the oddly familiar feel of Key West; Ghost Tours and Trolley Tours were advertised at every corner.

In all, it was a very interesting little town; one I will most definitely return to. Especially when it is Pizza Time!

Hersha Lucas Shower

2009-09-03T12:11:00.001-04:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

I WON I WON I WON!!!

2009-08-27T12:15:00.002-04:00

I entered a contest on Music Induced Euphoria for That SummerTime Sound novel give-away and I WON!! WOOTAGE!!!

Check out the site! Great for Music Lovers!

I've been bad...

2009-06-08T23:47:00.004-04:00

I know... I've been a very bad blogger....

In all due fairness, however, I am working three jobs now in lue of my up coming trip to Germany!!! One of my new employments is working at JCPenny Portrait Studio's. It has been absolutely amazing! My manager confessed to me that my training was one of the most difficult ways to learn that she has ever seen. I had to learn the fast and hard way because, that's just how it went! I had shoots with maternity, twins, families of 12, 4 boys under the age of 6, fiesty 2 year olds, relentless toddlers, frustrated teens, odd couples and courageous survivors.

As a result of learning how to take posed portraits rather than casual candids, pardon the alliteration, my brain has been non-stop. I find myself looking at random individuals and thinking: "They would be great to photograph" or, "the way the light is hitting that baby... GORGEOUS!" or my favorite... "That would look great in a 10X10!!"

::Sigh:: I find myself doodling a lot more now and surfing the web for ideas and inspirtation. I hope I get to put them to use in the near future!

It has been a while that I have looked forward to spending 10 hours a day on my knees making kids and grown ups alike laugh :) What a tough job!!

Birdies

2009-05-13T22:16:00.002-04:00

I am not a crafty person but I wanted to add some flare to my room :)

Had a PicNic... Had a Blast!

2009-04-20T12:36:00.004-04:00

This weekend was one of the most action packed ones I have partaken in for quite a while! Saturday we had a picnic to say Farewell to some dear friends of ours.

Which was thrown quite wonderfully by the two lovely ladies above!

It was just a gorgeous day to be outside. It's days like that where I am actually glad to live in South Florida!

Back from Orlando Weekend

2009-04-07T11:20:00.003-04:00

It was a good weekend :)